Written questions by Morello.

What steps his Department plans to take to ensure that people in (a) West Dorset constituency and (b) other rural areas receive equitable access to social care support.

Local authorities are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs. Where individuals do not meet the eligibility threshold, they can get support from their local authorities in making their own arrangements for care services, as set out in the Care Act 2014. Local authorities have a further duty to shape their care markets and commission a diverse range of care and support services that enable people to access quality care.The majority of grant funding for adult social care is distributed to local authorities using the Adult Social Care Relative Needs Formula. This is designed to account for factors that affect the differences in the need for, and cost of, adult social care services that are outside of local authorities’ control, including population, income and wealth, informal care support, wages and prices, and population sparsity.We recognise that there are challenges in adult social care. Lord Darzi’s report indicated a growing gap between requests and those receiving publicly funded care, and some people are waiting too long to get the care they need. Long-term reform is needed in adult social care, and we will work with the sector to create a sustainable care system across all constituencies that supports people to live independent and dignified lives.In the short term, the Government is providing at least £600 million of new grant funding for social care in 2025/26, as part of the broader estimated real-terms uplift to core local government spending power of approximately 3.2%. We will set out further details at the Local Government Finance Settlement.In addition, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) local authority assessments consider the performance of the delivery of Care Act 2014 duties. If the CQC identifies that a local authority has failed or is failing its functions to an acceptable standard, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has powers to intervene. The CQC has published twelve local authority ratings and reports.

If she will undertake a review of police funding allocations.

The government will consider police funding, including the allocation of funding to forces, in the round as part of phase 2 of the Spending Review.

What steps the Department is taking to ensure rural police forces receive adequate funding to meet increasing demands in areas with low-population density.

The majority of public funding for police forces in England and Wales is provided by the Home Office and is agreed by the House of Commons on an annual basis at the police funding settlement. Each year the Home Office produces a Police Grant Report which is published and voted on by Parliament and contains grant funding allocations for the following year to be paid out under the Police Act 1996.The funding formula used for distributing Home Office Police Main Grant divides funds between different activities that the police undertake. A portion of total funding is also distributed according to population sparsity, to address the specific needs of rural forces. A copy of the most recent Grant Report for 2024-25 has been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can be found online:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/65b913a1ee7d49000d9849d4/E03063051_-_Police_Grant_Report__England_and_Wales__24-25_Accessible.pdfAs announced at the Autumn budget 2024, the settlement will increase the core government grant for police forces in 2025-26 and help support frontline policing levels across the country, force level funding allocations for the financial year 2025-26 will be confirmed at the forthcoming police funding settlement. Funding for future years beyond 2025-26 will be set out in phase 2 of the Spending Review.

What steps he plans to take to improve access to social care in underserved regions where the amount of care providers is lower per capita.

Local authorities are responsible for assessing individuals’ care and support needs and, where eligible, for meeting those needs. Where individuals do not meet the eligibility threshold, they can get support from their local authorities in making their own arrangements for care services, as set out in the Care Act 2014. Local authorities have a further duty to shape their care markets and commission a diverse range of care and support services that enable people to access quality care.The majority of grant funding for adult social care is distributed to local authorities using the Adult Social Care Relative Needs Formula. This is designed to account for factors that affect the differences in the need for, and cost of, adult social care services that are outside of local authorities’ control, including population, income and wealth, informal care support, wages and prices, and population sparsity.We recognise that there are challenges in adult social care. Lord Darzi’s report indicated a growing gap between requests and those receiving publicly funded care, and some people are waiting too long to get the care they need. Long-term reform is needed in adult social care, and we will work with the sector to create a sustainable care system across all constituencies that supports people to live independent and dignified lives.In the short term, the Government is providing at least £600 million of new grant funding for social care in 2025/26, as part of the broader estimated real-terms uplift to core local government spending power of approximately 3.2%. We will set out further details at the Local Government Finance Settlement.In addition, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) local authority assessments consider the performance of the delivery of Care Act 2014 duties. If the CQC identifies that a local authority has failed or is failing its functions to an acceptable standard, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has powers to intervene. The CQC has published twelve local authority ratings and reports.

What steps he plans to take to support community pharmacies in West Dorset

Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system. We are committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. That includes making prescribing part of the services delivered by community pharmacists, as we shift care from the hospital to the community.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for understanding the health needs of their areas, and commissioning services to meet those needs. Local authorities are required to undertake a pharmaceutical needs assessment every three years to assess whether their population, such as the constituency of West Dorset, are adequately served, and they must keep these assessments under review. These assessments inform ICBs when reviewing applications for National Health Service pharmacies. The Pharmacy Access Scheme provides additional funding to pharmacies in areas where there are fewer pharmacies. In rural areas where there is no pharmacy, general practices are permitted to dispense medicines. Patients can also choose to access medicines and pharmacy services through any of the nearly 400 NHS online pharmacies that are contractually required to deliver prescription medicines free of charge to patients.Now that the Budget for Government has been set, we will shortly be resuming our consultation with Community Pharmacy England regarding the funding arrangements. We are unable to say more until these have been concluded.

What steps his Department is taking to help improve the sustainability of pharmacies in rural communities that lack alternative healthcare access.

Pharmacies play a vital role in our healthcare system. We are committed to expanding the role of pharmacies and better utilising the skills of pharmacists and pharmacy technicians. That includes making prescribing part of the services delivered by community pharmacists, as we shift care from the hospital to the community.Integrated care boards (ICBs) are responsible for understanding the health needs of their areas, and commissioning services to meet those needs. Local authorities are required to undertake a pharmaceutical needs assessment every three years to assess whether their population, such as the constituency of West Dorset, are adequately served, and they must keep these assessments under review. These assessments inform ICBs when reviewing applications for National Health Service pharmacies. The Pharmacy Access Scheme provides additional funding to pharmacies in areas where there are fewer pharmacies. In rural areas where there is no pharmacy, general practices are permitted to dispense medicines. Patients can also choose to access medicines and pharmacy services through any of the nearly 400 NHS online pharmacies that are contractually required to deliver prescription medicines free of charge to patients.Now that the Budget for Government has been set, we will shortly be resuming our consultation with Community Pharmacy England regarding the funding arrangements. We are unable to say more until these have been concluded.

If he will make a comparative assessment of funding allocated to (a) brain tumours and (b) other cancers in the last five years; and if he will take steps to increase funding available for brain tumours.

The Department spends £1.5 billion each year on research through its research delivery arm, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), with cancer the largest area of spend at over £121.8 million in 2022/23 reflecting its high priority. The Department does not currently have plans to make a comparative assessment of funding allocated to brain and other cancers in the last five yearsThe NIHR has taken steps on opportunities for brain cancer research funding. In September 2024, the NIHR announced new research funding opportunities for brain cancer research spanning both adult and paediatric populations. This includes a national NIHR Brain Tumour Research Consortium, to ensure the most promising research opportunities are made available to adult and child patients and a new funding call to generate high quality evidence in brain tumour care, support and rehabilitation.We will get the National Health Service diagnosing cancer, including brain tumours, earlier and treating it faster so more patients survive, and we will improve patients’ experience across the system. To do this, we will address the challenges in diagnostic waiting times, providing the number of computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and other tests that are needed to reduce cancer waits.

What steps his Department is taking to incentivise private sector investment into research for (a) brain tumours and (b) other rare diseases.

The Department is committed to implementing recommendations from Lord O'Shaughnessy’s independent review of commercial clinical trials, maximising our potential to be a world leader, and developing a more competitive, efficient, and accessible clinical research system.The Department aims to ensure that all patients, including those with brain tumours and rare diseases, have access to cutting-edge clinical research and innovative, lifesaving treatments.The Government funds research through The Department of Health and Social Care funded National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) and the Medical Research Council (MRC), sponsored by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology. The NIHR and the MRC are jointly funding the Rare Diseases Research Platform UK, a £14 million initiative made up of eleven research centres based at universities, which work collaboratively with industry and charities to accelerate understanding, diagnosis, and therapy of rare diseases.Additionally, Genomics England, a company owned by The Department, partners with the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms through their Discovery Forum to accelerate new treatment development.

Whether she has made a recent assessment of the potential merits of restricting the use of live facial recognition software.

Live facial technology is being used effectively by some police forces to identify suspects more quickly and accurately. Its use is governed by data protection, equality, and human rights legislation supplemented by specific policing guidance.At a Westminster Hall Debate on live facial recognition on 13 November, I was clear that the government wants to take time to think carefully about how much support the police may need from Government and Parliament to set and manage the rules for the use of this technology.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases to the lower national insurance threshold for employer contributions on small seasonal businesses.

The government has protected the smallest businesses from the impact of the increase to employer’s National Insurance by increasing the Employment Allowance from £5,000 to £10,500. This means that 865,000 employers will pay no NICs at all next year. More than half of employers will see no change or will gain overall from this package. A Tax Information and Impact Note that covers the employer NICs changes was published by HMRC on 13 November and can be found here: Changes to the Class 1 National Insurance Contributions Secondary Threshold, the Secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions rate, and the Employment Allowance from 6 April 2025 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to ensure that rural schools have access to the latest (a) technological resources and (b) STEM education in West Dorset constituency.

Reliable technology can offer significant benefits to everyone who works and learns in schools and trusts. The department is working with commercial providers to accelerate gigabit capable internet rollout to schools, alongside a joint investment from the department and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.In collaboration with Building Digital UK (BDUK), the department is jointly funding fibre upgrades to 833 schools across England by the end of 2025. This is in addition to the 683 delivered by BDUK programmes with the department between 2017 and 2021.Additionally, Connect the Classroom is supporting over 3,700 schools to upgrade their wireless networks, including some schools in West Dorset. So far, the programme has delivered over £200 million of funding to improve connectivity for over one million pupils nationally.To widen participation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in schools, the department is funding the Stimulating Physics Network (SPN) and Subject Knowledge for Physics Teaching (SKPT) programmes.The SPN promotes the take-up of A level physics and provides coaching support to increase the profile of physics and retention of physics teachers. There are a total of 285 partner schools in England, supported by 42 coaches based in SPN-led schools and regional network staff, to ensure there is a good offer across the country for SPN. An SPN-led school in Hampshire covers support for schools across Hampshire and Dorset.SKPT, which has practical sessions delivered across the country, aims to provide training to non-physics teachers to allow them to become specialists in physics. Rural schools that do not have access to local existing SKPT provision can contact the Ogden Trust, who run the SKPT programme, as there are limited bespoke packages of support for such schools. Schools in West Dorset can receive teacher continuing professional development (CPD) on mathematics curriculum pedagogy and subject knowledge via the Jurassic Maths Hub, one of 40 maths hubs across England who offer school-to-school maths teacher CPD from reception to post-16.The department also funds the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme, supporting teachers to improve the teaching of AS and A level mathematics, AS and A level further mathematics and core mathematics. Support is focused in disadvantaged areas and areas with low post-16 mathematics participation so that, whatever their location, background or gender, students can access high-quality mathematics teaching.Additionally, the department funds the National Centre for Computing Education (NCCE), which provides free CPD and resources to improve the quality of computing education and increase participation in computing at GCSE and A level. The NCCE manages a network of over 30 computing hubs across England to support schools and colleges in all areas of the country. NCCE CPD is delivered either in-person or online to reduce the need for travel, and hubs schedule courses based on demand and local attendance patterns.The NCCE has a particular focus on reaching schools in education investment areas. Dorset has been identified as one of the NCCE’s highest priority areas and is receiving an additional focus as part of the ‘Targeted School Engagement Programme’. The Devon and Dorset hub is working closely with the education team at Dorset Council to embed NCCE provision across the area and promoting wider activities, including last September’s National Coding Week. Contact details for the Devon and Dorset hub are available from the NCCE’s Teach Computing website here: https://teachcomputing.org.

What steps his Department is taking to support small rural businesses in West Dorset constituency to access export markets.

DBT is supporting companies like Baboo Gelato, based just outside Dorchester, to take their first steps into exporting. UK businesses, including those in West Dorset constituency, can access DBT’s wealth of export support via Great.gov.uk. This comprises a online support offer and our wider network of support, including Export Champions, the Export Academy, our International Markets network, and UK Export Finance. Alongside this, our International Trade Advisers use their extensive experience of exporting and knowledge of the needs of SMEs in their sectors and regions to provide one-to-one tailored support to businesses.

How much funding her Department has provided to rural fire services to help (a) reduce response times and (b) cover greater distances in the 2024-25 financial year.

The final Local Government Settlement 2024/25 has determined that overall fire and rescue authorities will receive around £2.87 billion this year to continue protecting our communities at the highest standard. Standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities including Dorset and Wiltshire will see an increase in core spending power of £95.4 million in 2024/25. This is an increase of 5.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2023/24. It is the responsibility of each fire and rescue authority to determine how to allocate that funding based on its analysis of risk and local circumstances. Funding allocations for 2025/26 will be set out at the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement next month. In the meantime, the Government will continue to work closely with stakeholders across the sector to ensure fire and rescue services have the resources they need to keep the public safe.

What steps her Department is taking to ensure that rural fire services are adequately resourced to respond to emergencies in isolated areas.

The final Local Government Settlement 2024/25 has determined that overall fire and rescue authorities will receive around £2.87 billion this year to continue protecting our communities at the highest standard. Standalone Fire and Rescue Authorities including Dorset and Wiltshire will see an increase in core spending power of £95.4 million in 2024/25. This is an increase of 5.6 per cent in cash terms compared to 2023/24. It is the responsibility of each fire and rescue authority to determine how to allocate that funding based on its analysis of risk and local circumstances. Funding allocations for 2025/26 will be set out at the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement next month. In the meantime, the Government will continue to work closely with stakeholders across the sector to ensure fire and rescue services have the resources they need to keep the public safe.

What steps his Department is taking to help promote rural innovation in green technologies in West Dorset constituency.

Technology and innovation are essential to reaching clean power by 2030 and are a critical part of the Government’s deployment plans for achieving the Clean Energy Superpower Mission. The Southwest of England is playing an important role in advancing clean technologies, with over £120m committed to the region through our Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP).

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of closures of grassroots sports clubs on (a) community cohesion and (b) wellbeing in rural constituencies.

The Government is committed to improving access to high quality sport and physical activity opportunities for everyone, including those with disabilities. This is central to achieving the aims set out in the Government’s manifesto around the Health and Opportunity Missions. The Government will support more people to be active wherever they live, whether in cities or the countryside.We recognise that grassroots sports clubs are at the heart of communities up and down the country. These provide important places for people of all ages to be active, bring communities together and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.That is why this Government has committed to continue funding for grassroots facilities. £123 million will be invested UK-wide in grassroots facilities via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme throughout 2024/25, working with our delivery partner, the Football Foundation.

Media and Sport, what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of closures of grassroots disability sports clubs on (a) community cohesion and (b) wellbeing in rural constituencies.

The Government is committed to improving access to high quality sport and physical activity opportunities for everyone, including those with disabilities. This is central to achieving the aims set out in the Government’s manifesto around the Health and Opportunity Missions. The Government will support more people to be active wherever they live, whether in cities or the countryside.We recognise that grassroots sports clubs are at the heart of communities up and down the country. These provide important places for people of all ages to be active, bring communities together and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.That is why this Government has committed to continue funding for grassroots facilities. £123 million will be invested UK-wide in grassroots facilities via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme throughout 2024/25, working with our delivery partner, the Football Foundation.

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to improve access to mental health services for police officers in rural constituencies.

The Government has been clear that the wellbeing of our police is a priority. We want to ensure that all police officers and staff have the appropriate support in place to thrive in their careers and continue to serve the public.  Chief Constables have a responsibility to manage their workforce effectively and this includes ensuring the wellbeing of all officers and staff. Through the Police Covenant, we continue to fund the National Police Wellbeing Service to provide evidence-based guidance, advice, tools and resources to support forces and individual officers, including guidance on mental health support for the police. The NPWS is helping all forces to identify where there is most risk of impacts on mental health. They are working with forces, developing work to build resilience, and putting in place support for those who need it.

Media and Sport, if she will take steps to undertake a review of the capital funding requirements of grassroots sports clubs for the sustainable, long-term maintenance of their facilities.

The Government is committed to improving access to high quality sport and physical activity opportunities for everyone, including those with disabilities. This is central to achieving the aims set out in the Government’s manifesto around the Health and Opportunity Missions. The Government will support more people to be active wherever they live, whether in cities or the countryside.We recognise that grassroots sports clubs are at the heart of communities up and down the country. These provide important places for people of all ages to be active, bring communities together and improve their mental and physical wellbeing.That is why this Government has committed to continue funding for grassroots facilities. £123 million will be invested UK-wide in grassroots facilities via the Multi-Sport Grassroots Facilities Programme throughout 2024/25, working with our delivery partner, the Football Foundation.

Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help encourage (a) innovation and (b) tech-based start-ups in rural constituencies.

DSIT is accelerating innovation through initiatives like the Higher Education Innovation Funding, currently £280m a year, enabling universities across England to support innovative new businesses in their local areas. Additionally, through the £12.2m Digital Growth Grant, DSIT supports the Ecosystem Partnership Programme which awards funding to regional organisations delivering support in their local ecosystems. This grant also supports a cohort of AgriTech businesses as part of the Industry Bridge programme, connecting startups with corporate partners, delivered by Codebase.